Southern Nevada Fish Reports

With fluctuations in weather and water, fishing has slowed as the fish adjust. Anglers have found trout in the areas of Rotary Park and the Sunshine Peninsula but the fish have proven tough to catch. While shore fishing in the area, one angler brought in a striped bass nearing 13 pounds on a pencil popper. Thanks to Rusty at Riviera Marina for the report.

The report has been light from the past week. Anglers are reporting striped bass in coves north of Cottonwood Cove and anchovies have worked well as bait. The catch rate has been better early in the morning and then slows during the midday hours before picking up again in the evening. Willow Beach has produced a few nice catches; one fish came in at 17

Planted rainbows are hitting on a variety of baits and lures. Over the weekend kids from the Las Vegas Jr. Fly Fishing club were getting hits on gold-ribbed Hares Ears, Woolly Buggers, and Prince Nymphs fished near the bottom.

Anglers are still having an easy go at netting shad but have had a difficult time enticing the striped bass to take their bait. For many, battling the weather is the first obstacle to overcome and then comes the trial of hooking a fish. With the new moon Sunday night, fishing at night under a light or using a submersible light can prove productive. Spinnows

The storm system that went through Southern Nevada last week raised temperatures at the lake and removed the ice. The open water is providing anglers with good action for rainbow trout. The fish are taking most baits. One angler reported that red was the hot color for both baits and lures. Night crawlers are also productive.

The reservoir has seen an increase in fishing pressure. Anglers have done well with a variety of baits, including night crawlers and PowerBait.

The variety of fish being caught this week would entice any angler. Stripers are taking anchovies and top water lures. Catfish also are taking anchovies, especially in the area of the Nature Center. There are still reports of smallmouth bass being caught below the Avi Bridge. Trout are dispersed throughout the area and are showing up in pockets around Davis Dam, along Casino Row, Sunshine

Due to lower lake levels, fishing the shoreline has been more trying as much of the vegetation is now dry and beyond the water's edge. Anglers are still having success with catfish in the coves. Anchovies are working well and some folks are even preparing their own stink baits. Stripers are active throughout the lake, and anglers are bringing in fish with both anchovies and

Fishing has been good following recent trout plants. PowerBait and power eggs have been working well. So have small spinners or spoons for those wishing to fish with hardware.

Fishing is hot for those anglers willing to brave the morning chill. Those making it out at first light have reported good fishing for striped bass. The action also is good at dusk and for about two hours after. The areas near Boulder Harbor and past the beaches have produced well. Birds in the area can be an indicator as to where the fish are

The Park had a lot more visitation this past week and anglers had good success for rainbows. Several brown trout were also taken with PowerBait in the usual orange, green or rainbow colorations. Fly-fishermen also had good success using Woolly Buggers. Though ice has formed around the edges of the lake, open water was still accessible as of the holiday weekend. For current ice conditions

The reservoir remains ice free but is seeing little fishing pressure. For current ice conditions contact park personnel at 775-962-5103.

Anglers found good fishing on the river over the holiday weekend. One angler reeled in a 1.3-pound rainbow trout near the Sunshine Peninsula using night crawlers. While bait seems to produce the most bites, small spinners are worth a shot when the bite slows. The areas around Rotary Park and Casino Row are giving up fish as well. Striped bass fishing has been a little

Striper action continues to improve as the weather cools. NDOW biologists have observed a significant increase in the threadfin shad population, which should bode well for striped bass numbers in the future. Along with this comes the report of double-digit stripers being caught south of Cottonwood Cove. Anchovies are effective bait, but lures are also working well with the right presentation. Working the coves

The ponds at Floyd Lamb, Sunset, Lorenzi and Veteran's Memorial Park were planted with rainbow trout Nov. 25. Folks that have tried their luck have gone home happy, especially those at Lorenzi Park who did well using PowerBait in a pearl white coloration. The limit is three fish.

Word is the fish are biting best around 7:30 a.m., especially when stripers are actively feeding on shad. Imitation shad and lures work well during this time. Anglers are still pulling in catfish, some up to six pounds, on anchovies near Pyramid Island. With the change in weather bringing cloudy days and a chance of rain, expect some ups and downs in your fishing